To
mark World Desertification Day, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has flagged off
the planting of four million trees in Adamawa State in a ceremony that was held
at the Banquet Hall, Government House Yola.

The
day which is observed on 17th June every year, has the theme for
2019 “Let’s grow the future together” and it was tagged in Adamawa State “Let’s
grow the future green Adamawa Project (GAP)”.

While
performing the ceremony, the Governor said that land degradation and drought
are critical problems not only in dry land, but also in human and sub humid
ecosystem of Nigeria. Noted that within 3-4 decades about 43% of the forest
system has been degraded through human activities.

The
Governor maintained that Adamawa State Government in conjunction with the Green
Wall Programme, a Pan African Organization launched by the African Union in
2005 to cushion the effect of desertification has embarked on the establishment
of woodlots, shelterbelts and orchards in 7 LGAs in order to reduce the speed
of desertification.

Earlier
on, the Executive Director, Environmental Care Foundation (ECF) Yohanna Moses
said that Northern LGAs in Adamawa State is face with the challenge of
desertification, adding that his foundation will revive the 21 plant nursery
across the State.

While
delivering her speech, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Mrs.
Aisha A. Umar whose Ministry in collaboration with ECF will plant four million
trees in Adamawa State, said that the World Day to combat desertification and
drought is aim at promoting public awareness on the effect of desertification.

Mrs.
Umar highlighted the causes of desertification to include: Excessive
overgrazing in on lands in absence of adequate pasture, uncontrolled bush
burning to clear land for agricultural activities and indiscriminate felling of
trees for fuel fire wood and construction purposes. She
also revealed that northern part of Adamawa State particularly Madagali,
Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha Local Government Areas are worst
affected by desertification while Gombi, Guyuk and Song are face with the
challenge.

The
Permanent Secretary therefore called on the general public to desist from
indiscriminate felling of trees, bush burning and encourages planting of trees
to curtail the effect of desertification.

Highlight
of the celebration was planting of trees in Government House by Governor Ahmadu
Fintiri, Deputy Governor Seth Crowder, Secretary to the State Government Bashir
Ahmed and Chief of Staff Government House Prof. Maxwell Gidado,SAN.